Sacrificed To The Don They Now Regret

My adopted sister, Bianca, screwed up. Big time. It was at a charity dinner. Hosted by the Vitiellos. The most powerful Mafia Family on the East Coast. She spilled hot coffee on the Vitiello boss's sister. Right into her eyes. Almost blinded her. Massimo went ballistic. He’s the cold-blooded Don who runs the whole damn coast. He wanted a hostage from our family, the Costas. Within five days. Or it was war. My mother grabbed my hands. Her eyes were red and filled with pain. “Bianca didn’t mean it. She’s terrified. She’s hiding in her room, shaking so hard she can’t breathe. Valeria, you're tough. You can survive this. Just go to Massimo for a few days. I swear I'll get you back.” My twin brother sighed. “That Don is a psycho. Bianca is too delicate. She wouldn’t last a day. You’ve always been the strong one. Just… do this for her.” Even my fiancé, the man I’ve been engaged to for years, held me. He whispered, “Baby, just take the heat for her. Once this all blows over, I’ll give you the biggest wedding you’ve ever dreamed of.” What a joke. I wasn’t even at the party. But I was the one paying the price. So I gave them what they wanted. I walked right into the Vitiello estate. And then they regretted it. They cried, and begged me to come back. Chapter 1 “Valeria, you have to save your sister!” I had just finished the minestrone. My mother burst into the kitchen, sobbing. I was so startled, I dropped the bowl. It shattered on the counter. Hot soup and ceramic shards went everywhere. It barely missed my feet. “Careful!” she screamed. She yanked me back by the arm. “Don’t move. Don’t step on the glass. What if you cut your foot?” Seeing the raw panic in her eyes, my heart ached. A mother’s instinct. She did care about me. When I was ten, a rival family kidnapped me. I ended up in a basement in Sicily. The shock almost killed my mother. She tried to end it, more than once. To save her, my father adopted Bianca. An orphan who looked a little like me. It took me ten years to fight my way back home. I’ll never forget that day. My mother held me and cried until she passed out. She swore she’d never let me suffer again. Her next words sent me straight to hell. “Bianca’s in terrible trouble! She spilled hot coffee into the Vitiello girl’s eyes!” My mother was shaking. Tears ruined her perfect makeup. “That Don is out for blood. He wants a Costa daughter as a hostage. We have to give him one!” I just stared at her. My throat went tight. That fancy charity dinner. They told me not to go. They were afraid I didn’t have the right manners. That I’d embarrass them. And now they wanted me to take the fall? “Bianca didn’t mean it, she’s terrified!” My mother’s eyes pleaded with me, but her tone was matter-of-fact. “Valeria, you’re the older sister. Help her, please? You just have to stay at the Don’s estate for a few days. I promise, I’ll come get you.” The kitchen door was thrown open. My twin brother, Dominic, stormed in. He looked pissed. I remembered when I first came back. Some rich kid mocked me for my worn-out clothes. Dominic beat him so badly he broke three ribs. He told everyone, his eyes red with rage, that I was his only sister. But now, he was on her side. “The Don gave his ultimatum.” Dominic looked at me, unapologetic. “The man’s a savage, Valeria. Bianca is too fragile. The shock would kill her.” I looked at my own brother. A bitter taste filled my mouth. My eyes burned. “And if I go? Will I make it out alive?” My voice trembled with a hurt so deep it shook my bones. “Are you sending me back to another hell?” “You’re not like her,” Dominic blurted out. “You survived Sicily. A place that eats people alive. You’re tougher than she is!” A survivor. Bulletproof. What a pathetic excuse. Because I survived underground fights and starvation, I was supposed to be immune to pain? Eight years away, and my adopted sister had replaced me. She was their golden child. Because I was quiet, they decided I was easy to ignore. They bought me expensive things sometimes. They smiled at me. I thought it was love. Now I knew the truth. When it came to life or death, they would always sacrifice me to protect Bianca. “So you think because I’m strong, I deserve to be the sacrificial lamb?” I stared at them. The tears finally fell. “I’m your daughter, too!” A flash of guilt crossed my mother’s face. She covered it by raising her voice. “Have we been anything but good to you? The family is facing a crisis! Are you just going to stand there and watch your sister walk to her death?” “Stop being dramatic!” Dominic scowled. “How can you be so selfish? If you don’t go, we all pay the price for what she did!” Exhaustion and despair washed over me. Looking at the mess on the floor, I suddenly felt so tired. The stupid, childish hope that I could earn their love if I just tried hard enough… it snapped. I didn’t blame them anymore. I didn’t want to fight for it. “Fine. I’ll go,” I said. My voice was flat. My mother let out a sharp breath of relief. She smiled. She reached out to hug me. “I knew you were the sensible one…” I stepped aside. Dodged her touch. Her hand froze in mid-air. I untied my apron. I walked past them, toward the door. If my strength was their excuse to hurt me, then I didn’t want their love. I was done. Chapter 2 I didn’t stop on the first floor. I went straight upstairs. As I reached the landing, I heard Bianca’s loud, gasping breaths. Her bedroom door was wide open. She was leaning over the side of her bed, clutching her chest, dry-heaving. Apparently, the “extreme shock” triggered a panic attack. My fiancé, Julian, was sitting on the edge of the bed. He was stroking her back. Whispering softly to her. My feet felt like they were cast in lead. Julian and I grew up together. We were supposed to get married. When I returned from Sicily, he held me at the airport. He cried. He swore to protect me forever. Now, he was holding someone else. He heard my footsteps and looked up. He let go of Bianca and rushed over to me. He grabbed both my hands. He looked at me with so much emotion, like I was the love of his life. “Valeria, you have to go.” My heart shattered. “Just take her place as the hostage for a little while.” Julian played his final card. His voice was sick with fake sincerity. “I swear, once this blows over, I will give you the most magnificent wedding.” A wedding. In exchange for taking the fall for his real love. Looking at his earnest, disgusting face, I couldn't even cry. Every hope I ever had for us turned to ash in that single moment. I pulled my hands away. A cold smile, uglier than tears, formed on my lips. “I already said yes.” I looked into his stunned eyes. My voice was empty. “In five days, I’m going to the Vitiello estate.” I turned and walked downstairs, not giving him a second glance. My chest was tight. I couldn’t breathe. I needed air. I wandered into the backyard garden. And then I froze. The entire garden was filled with white lilies. Bianca’s favorite flower. I laughed. A bitter, hollow sound. Just then, a roll of thunder echoed overhead. The sky opened up. A downpour, out of nowhere. The huge drops soaked me instantly. Cold to the bone. I just stood there in the rain, staring at this huge, beautiful house. And I suddenly realized. In this place I was supposed to call home, there wasn’t a single corner for me. I dragged my soaking body back inside, up to my room. If you could call it a room. It was a cramped attic on the top floor. No heat. The corners were piled with junk the maids didn’t want. When I first came back, Bianca had already taken over my old bedroom. My mother had looked uncomfortable. But Bianca just took my hand. Her smile sweet and innocent. “Val, do you mind taking the attic? It's so private up there! You'll have the whole floor to yourself.” She said it was just temporary. But that "temporary" arrangement turned into years. I slumped onto the hard bed. My eyes fell on the picture frame on the nightstand. Our only family portrait. The one they used to search for me. During those ten years of starvation in Sicily, I survived purely on the memory of this photo. I thought I finally had a home. I didn't realize they had found someone they loved more. That night, a brutal fever hit me. My immune system was permanently wrecked in Sicily. Any cold rain brought the agony right back. My body burned like fire, but a piercing cold seeped deep into my bones. My throat felt like it was splitting open. I forced myself up. I pushed the attic door open, hoping someone could get me some medicine. But the entire villa was brightly lit. Every single maid was busy downstairs. They were carrying hot milk, calming aromatherapy, and imported fruits into Bianca’s room. The whole house revolved around the "traumatized" adopted daughter. My vision went dark. I leaned against the wall, stumbling downstairs. I accidentally knocked over a vase in the hallway. The crash echoed sharply in the silent house. A second later, Bianca’s door swung open. Dominic stormed out, his brows locked in fury. He didn't notice my pale, feverish face. He didn't see my shaking legs. He grabbed my arm hard. "Bianca finally fell asleep!" Dominic hissed, his voice full of warning and impatience. "Valeria, can't you be sensible for once? Stop causing trouble!" He shoved me back and slammed the hallway door shut. I staggered and fell hard onto the cold attic floor. The moment that door closed, the last shred of my attachment to this family completely snapped. I clenched my jaw. I used every ounce of my strength to crawl back to the bed. I picked up that family portrait. I took it out of the frame and ripped it in half. And then again. I tore it to shreds and threw it into the trash can. Next, I pulled open the drawer. I took off the engagement ring Julian gave me. I tossed it into the deepest corner without a second thought. When it was done, my last bit of strength vanished. I collapsed on the bed and fell into total darkness. I didn't know how long I was out. Until the next afternoon, when glaring sunlight hit my face through the tiny window. Frantic footsteps pounded up the stairs. "Valeria, why are you still sleeping?" My mother pushed the door open, complaining. "Bianca has no appetite today. She's been crying. She wants that strawberry cake you always make. Get up and..." Her voice abruptly stopped. "Oh my god, Valeria, what happened to you?!" Chapter 3 Mom's scream brought Dad and Dominic rushing upstairs. After a blur of chaos, I was shoved into a car and rushed to a private hospital. The room reeked of bleach. I lay perfectly still, keeping my eyes closed. "I shouldn't have shoved her..." Dominic's voice held a rare trace of regret. "The way she looked at me last night... It was so cold. I was just too worried about Bianca." "You were way out of line! She's your real sister! She was burning up and you didn't even notice!" Mom scolded, her voice thick with tears. In the past, hearing them feel guilty for me would have made me open my eyes in relief. But now? It just felt pathetic. They were only offering cheap guilt after the damage was already done. "Mom, don't blame Dominic." Bianca's frail voice chimed in perfectly on cue. "He was just trying to protect me. If Valeria blames me, let me go instead. I'll die for her." Dead silence in the room. Mom and Dominic, who were just full of regret, suddenly went totally mute. A few seconds later, Mom pulled Bianca into a tight hug. "Don't be ridiculous! You're too fragile, you wouldn't survive!" Mom promised firmly. "Don't worry. Your sister is sensible. She agreed to take the fall, and I'll make sure she does." I kept my eyes closed. I didn't feel a single ripple of emotion. Right. No matter how much they claimed to care about me, the second Bianca was involved, the scales tipped without hesitation. A day later, my fever broke. I discharged myself. I stood outside the hospital for three hours. Mom texted last night saying she'd pick me up. Now, she changed her mind. “Bianca is really depressed. The doctor says she’s on the verge of a breakdown. I took her shopping in Long Island to cheer her up. Catch a cab.” The autumn wind cut deep. Before I could hail a cab, a black Porsche pulled up. The window rolled down. It was my fiancé, Julian. I opened the passenger door, but stopped. On the seat was a French dessert that required a week's advance order. Bianca's favorite strawberry mousse. Julian casually moved the box. "I brought your favorite strawberry mousse to celebrate your discharge," he smiled at me. "I promised I'd take care of you." "What do you want?" I sat in the car, my voice ice cold. Julian froze. He clearly didn't expect the attitude. He cleared his throat. His tone was gentle but left no room for argument. "I need a small favor. Paris wants to sign 'Valkyrie' as their lead designer." My fingers curled. 'Valkyrie' was my pen name. During those ten years of straying in Sicily, sketching was my only escape. It was my life's blood. "I want you to give this identity to Bianca," Julian held my hand, trying to sound reasonable. "Valeria, face reality. You're going to the Don's estate as a hostage. Your reputation is ruined. High-end Parisian brands won't work with a woman tied to the mafia." "But this could secure Bianca's place in high society," he said earnestly. "Once the heat dies down, I'll marry you anyway. You don't need these empty titles. I'll take care of you." This was the man who claimed to love me. Knowing exactly how much this meant to me, he effortlessly asked me to hand it over. "Those are my designs," I pulled my hand back. I pronounced every word. Julian frowned, thinking I was throwing a tantrum. "Valeria, don't be so stubborn. Bianca is terrified because of the dinner. She needs this to distract her." Looking at his entitled face, I almost laughed. I didn't beg like I used to. I just stared at him coldly. "I refuse." I opened the door, stepped out without a second thought, and slammed it shut. Julian was furious at my blunt rejection. The Porsche lurched forward, then slammed on the brakes right beside me. He rolled down the window, eyes full of disappointment and confusion. "Valeria, when did you get so selfish?! Are you giving it to her or not?!" Chapter 4 "Selfish?" I looked at Julian and smiled faintly. Why was everyone calling me selfish? Mom wanted me to die for my sister. I hesitated. Selfish. Dominic wanted me to sacrifice myself for the family. I hesitated. Selfish. Now, my fiancé wanted to steal my only reason for living. And I was selfish. I didn't say another word. I turned and walked away. "Valeria! You're going to regret this!" Julian roared behind me. The Porsche sped off, leaving me alone in the freezing autumn wind. I dragged my weak body back to the Costa estate. The moment I pushed the door open, the warm, joyful atmosphere in the living room died instantly. Mom was holding a glass of champagne, glowing with happiness. Dominic was smiling, affectionately ruffling Bianca's hair. On the coffee table, an iPad screen was lit up. Paris fashion news on the front page. “Ten minutes ago, top Parisian luxury brand officially signed mystery genius designer, Valkyrie.” Underneath, the real identity was listed in bold: Bianca Costa. I understood immediately. While I was in the hospital, Bianca sneaked into my attic and stole all my sketches. Julian wasn't negotiating with me in the car. He was just informing me after the fact. Seeing me at the door, Mom's smile froze. She set down her glass, eyes flashing with guilt. "Valeria... you, you walked all the way back?" Bianca immediately hid behind Dominic like a frightened deer. Her eyes went red, and tears fell flawlessly. "Valeria, I'm so sorry... Julian told me you agreed to give me the title. I was afraid of missing the opportunity, so I just..." "Alright, stop crying," Dominic shielded Bianca, heart aching for her. He turned to me, frowning, aggressively defending her. "Valeria, don't look at Bianca like that! She just wants a career. Is that a crime?" "She stole my sketches," I said calmly. "What do you mean, stole? We're a family, what's yours is hers!" Dominic raised his voice, completely out of patience. "You're going to the Don as a hostage anyway! The title is useless in your hands. So what if Bianca takes it? Can you stop being so petty?!" Looking at his righteous face, I didn't even feel angry anymore. I didn't argue. I didn't shed a single tear. I walked past them, straight toward the stairs. "Where are you going?" Mom asked, sounding guilty. I ignored her. I went back to the cramped attic. I opened the closet. I didn't touch a single designer dress they bought me. I only packed the old clothes I wore when they first found me. Shoved them into a beat-up canvas bag. When I walked downstairs with the bag, the whole family froze. "What are you doing with luggage?" Dominic panicked, quickly stepping in my way. "Valeria, stop throwing a fit! It's just a designer title! When this blows over, we'll compensate you!" I coldly pushed his hand away. I walked up to Victor, my father, who had been sitting silently at the head of the table. I pulled a document from my bag and slapped it onto the coffee table. "Sign it," I looked down at him. Victor frowned, scanning the paper. His face turned violently pale. It was the disownment papers. From this day on, I would no longer carry the Costa name. My life or death had nothing to do with this family. "Valeria, are you insane?!" Mom shrieked, rushing forward to tear the paper. "We are your real parents! We love you!" Dominic's eyes went red. He reached for my shoulder. "What the hell are you doing?! Put that away right now!" I took a step back. "Don't sign it," I stared right into my father's eyes. "Then I won't go to the Don to take the fall. Tomorrow, you can wait for the Vitiello family to burn this place to the ground. Your choice." The living room went dead silent. Victor's jaw clenched. He stared at me, trying to see if I was bluffing. But to save his power, to protect his favorite adopted daughter, he gritted his teeth, picked up a pen, and signed his name. I folded my copy of the agreement. Zero hesitation. I turned and walked up to Bianca. She was red-eyed, gripping Dominic's sleeve. "Sister..." I pulled an envelope from my pocket, along with the engagement ring I had tossed in the drawer, and shoved it all into her hands. "This is the broken engagement, and Julian's ring," I smiled faintly at her shocked face. "Since you love picking up my trash so much, they're all yours now." Bianca's face drained of color. Just then, the screech of tires echoed outside. Several armed men in black suits pushed open the door. Their presence sucked the air out of the room. They were a day early. The rear window of the armored car in the center rolled down halfway. The legendary, cold-blooded Don, Massimo, actually came in person. Under the shocked, terrified gazes of the Costa family, I gripped my bag and walked out without a second thought. "Valeria..." Mom's voice trembled behind me. Pure panic finally bleeding into her tone. I didn't look back. The car door slammed shut. Heavy and final. I swore to myself. In this life, dead or alive, I am never coming back.